The Beast Park was a dangerous place. It was home to Spirit Beasts—monsters that could cultivate Qi and eat humans like popcorn.
Ye Tian walked into the forest, his stomach growling louder than the roars of the tigers nearby.
"System, scan for edible targets. Priority: Deliciousness."
[Scanning...]
[Target found: 200 meters. Iron-Hide Boar. Meat texture: Tough. Taste: Like old shoe leather.]
"Pass," Ye Tian dismissed.
[Target found: 50 meters. Tree Python. Meat texture: Chewy. Taste: Chicken-ish.]
"Pass. I hate snakes."
Suddenly, a brilliant flash of red light caught his eye.
Sitting on a low branch was a bird. It was fat, round, and covered in magnificent red and gold feathers that shimmered in the sunlight. It looked arrogant, preening its wings with a beak that glowed like hot magma.
[Target Found!]
[Species: Scarlet Flame fowl (Juvenile).]
[Bloodline: Trace amount of Ancient Vermilion Bird.]
[Meat Quality: SSS-Tier. Tender, spicy, and melts in your mouth.]
[Effect: Permanently increases Fire Resistance +10.]
Ye Tian wiped drool from his mouth. "Spicy chicken. It's destiny."
The bird looked down at Ye Tian. It let out a haughty squawk and spat a small fireball at him.
Pfft.
The fireball singed Ye Tian's sleeve.
"Ho? It comes pre-cooked?" Ye Tian grinned. "Come here, little nugget."
The bird sensed danger. It flapped its wings to fly away.
"Oh no you don't!" Ye Tian drew the Edge of Nihility.
He didn't need a massive technique, but he wanted to be sure.
"Nine Tribulations Sword Art... Mini Version!"
He flicked his wrist. A tiny, black distortion of air shot out.
Swish.
The branch the bird was standing on vanished. The bird fell, looking confused, right into Ye Tian's waiting hand.
Twenty Minutes Later.
A fire crackled in a small clearing. The aroma of roasting meat, seasoned with herbs Ye Tian found using his Divine Eye, drifted through the trees. It smelled heavenly.
Ye Tian sat by the fire, rotating the bird on a stick. The skin was golden and crispy.
"Finally," Ye Tian groaned. "Time to feast."
He tore off a drumstick. He was about to take a bite when the bushes behind him rustled.
"Little Red! Little Red, where are you?"
A high-pitched, childish voice rang out.
Ye Tian froze, the drumstick halfway to his mouth.
A little girl burst into the clearing. She looked about ten years old, wearing pink robes that were far too expensive for an Outer Disciple. She had big, watery eyes and two cute buns on her head.
She stopped. She sniffed the air. Her eyes drifted to the fire. Then to the stick. Then to the half-eaten bird in Ye Tian's hand.
She stared at the red feathers scattered on the ground.
Her lower lip began to tremble.
"Little... Red?" she whispered.
[Ding! Crisis Detected.]
[You have cooked the 'Scarlet Spirit Phoenix', the beloved pet of the Sect Master's Granddaughter, Gu Ling'er.]
[Cultivation: She is weak, but her pockets are full of high-tier Talismans that can nuke a mountain.]
[Please make a choice!]
[Option 1: The Liar. Kick the feathers into the fire and say, 'This is a rat. A very large, red rat.' Reward: Skill "Poker Face".]
[Option 2: The Villain. Laugh maniacally and say, 'Yes! I ate it! It was delicious! You're next!' Reward: Title "Child Traumatizer" (Reputation -5000).]
[Option 3: The Corruptor. Tear off the other drumstick, hand it to her, and say, 'Don't cry. Just taste it first.' Reward: "Beast Taming Manual" (Basic).]
Ye Tian looked at the girl. Tears were welling up in her eyes. She was reaching into her pocket, probably grabbing a talisman that would turn this entire forest into a crater.
Ye Tian sweated. Option 1 was impossible; the feathers were right there. Option 2 was a death sentence.
Option 3 it is.
Ye Tian stood up. He walked over to the trembling girl.
"You..." she sobbed, pulling out a glowing blue talisman. "You ate Little Red! I'm going to tell my Grandpa to—"
"Shhh," Ye Tian interrupted gently.
He held up the other drumstick. It was glistening with oil, steaming hot, and smelled like pure happiness.
"Little girl," Ye Tian said with a serious expression. "This isn't Little Red."
"It... it isn't?" She sniffed, eyeing the meat.
"No," Ye Tian lied shamelessly. "Little Red ascended. He went to the Phoenix Heaven to become a god. Before he left, he left behind this... mortal shell. As a gift."
"A... gift?"
"Yes," Ye Tian nodded. "He wanted you to have this. It contains his love. And his flavor. If you don't eat it, his sacrifice will be in vain."
The girl looked confused. The logic was flawed, but the smell was hypnotic.
"Just one bite," Ye Tian whispered like a devil on her shoulder. "For Little Red."
She hesitated. Slowly, she reached out and took the drumstick. She took a tiny nibble.
Her eyes went wide. The rich, spicy flavor exploded in her mouth. The spiritual energy rushed into her body, warming her from the inside.
"It's... yummy!" she gasped, tears instantly vanishing.
"Right?" Ye Tian sat back down and grabbed a wing. "Little Red tasted amazing... I mean, he was very noble."
For the next ten minutes, the two of them sat in silence, demolishing the bird.
[Ding! Choice Confirmed. Reward: Beast Taming Manual (Basic).]
Gu Ling'er burped, patting her small stomach. She looked at the pile of bones.
"Big Brother," she said, licking her fingers. "Do you think Little Red has any brothers or sisters who want to ascend?"
Ye Tian laughed. "We can find out."
"I'm Ling'er!" She beamed at him. "You make good food. I'll protect you. If anyone bullies you, tell me!"
Ye Tian patted her head. "Deal."
Suddenly, a terrifying pressure descended on the forest. The birds stopped singing. The wind stopped blowing.
A voice, booming like thunder, rolled over the trees.
"LING'ER! WHERE ARE YOU? I SENSED LITTLE RED'S SOUL DISAPPEAR!"
Ye Tian's face went pale. The pressure was immense. It was definitely the Sect Master.
Gu Ling'er jumped up. "Oh no! Grandpa is angry!"
She looked at Ye Tian. "Run, Big Brother! I'll distract him!"
"You don't have to tell me twice!" Ye Tian scrambled up.
"Wait!" She threw a small jade token at him. "Take this! If you come to the Inner Sect, show this to the guards!"
Ye Tian caught the token. It was warm and carved with a dragon.
"Thanks!"
Ye Tian activated the Cloud Fleeting Steps (which he didn't pick, but he ran fast anyway) and bolted into the bushes.
Behind him, he heard the booming voice again.
"LING'ER! WHAT IS THAT SMELL? IS THAT... BBQ SAUCE?"
Ye Tian didn't look back. He ran all the way back to the Outer Sect, his heart pounding but his stomach full.
He looked at the Jade Token in his hand.
[Sect Master's Personal Token]
[Effect: Can access Inner Sect areas. Can order Elders around (Warning: Elders might still hit you).]
Ye Tian grinned. "I went for lunch and came back with a VIP pass."
He looked at the horizon. The sun was setting.
"Tomorrow is the Assessment," Ye Tian clenched his fist. "Wang Long... get ready. I'm full, I'm armed, and I have a ten-year-old sugar mommy. You're done."